A church is more than the building in which a congregation meets.
Sunday morning worship is the primary event of the week, but not the only event. Education programs are offered on Sunday mornings, September through May and at announced times during the year. Music programs, service projects, and specific project groups meet as needed along with fellowship events and groups that meet just for fun.

Sunday School Program

Christian education programs are offered for all ages at 9:45 am (Labor Day through June). Children and teens meet in age groupings. Two classes, a biblical and a topic study, are offered for adults. Everyone is welcome.

Small Groups

Small groups meet periodically throughout the year for bible study or fellowship. Meeting times and themes vary. In addition, small groups typically go to lunch after the Sunday worship service. These informal “lunch bunches” gather after church to recruit people and decide on a venue. Visitors are welcome to join in and get to know people in an informal setting.

Fellowship

In addition to the post-worship “lunch bunches” mentioned above, refreshments are served on the second Sunday of each month to offer a time of casual interaction and comment on the service. Usually, the refreshments are served in the library at the back of the sanctuary. At times, refreshments are held downstairs and are in conjunction with a simple service project, or educational event.

Camping Program

Arlington is affiliated with two camps through the Mid-Atlantic District of the Church of the Brethren. Shepherd’s Spring is a newly-developed year-round retreat and camping facility in Sharpsburg, Maryland. The camp is located in an area rich in history and Brethren heritage, a few miles from the Dunker Church at the Antietam Civil War Battlefield and next to the Potomac River and C&O Towpath. A second camping facility, Camp Mardela, is located on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Arlington provides scholarships for children attending one of the summer camps. In addition, there are many opportunities for adults to volunteer.

Music Program and Worship

Celebration and joy in music is an important tradition at Arlington. Music programs include vocal choir, handbell choir, and children’s music. Rehearsals for the adult vocal choir are the first and third Wednesday of each month at 8:00 pm. The handbell choir rehearses each Wednesday at 7:00 pm. Rehearsals for the children are on Sunday morning. Everyone is welcome to contribute his or her musical talent at Arlington.

The Vocal Choir

Worship services are diverse in their presentation of music, including a rich tradition of pipe organ and congregational singing of traditional hymns. Services also typically include an offering by one of the choirs or special music (vocal or instrumental) by members of the congregation.

Caregiving

The Caregiving program at Arlington provides a support network of caregivers, members of the congregation who minister to each other and the congregation. The Caregiving program also serves as a way to communicate prayer concerns or other information rapidly to all church families. Caregivers and Deacons meet together 3-4 times per year to learn ways to increase caregiving to the members and friends of the church.